As the 2013 Chair of the SF PRRT, this is my year-end opportunity to say thanks to all of the members and volunteers who make this organization successful. I have enjoyed my time leading such a powerful group of genuinely nice and competent professionals. It has been a real pleasure.

Another Successful Holiday Party and Silent Auction!

Our annual Holiday Party took place on December 10, 2013 at Victor’s, the Art Deco private dining room atop the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Kudos go to Holiday Party Co-Chairs Terry Peckham and Wendy Yellin, who provided a festive experience with tasty meals and elegant decor. They both had such a good time that Wendy has agreed to chair the Holiday Party next year, while Terry will take on the Silent Auction.

Terry & Wendy

The spectacular views complemented our keynote speakers, the acerbic, opinionated team of Phil Matier and Andy Ross, who write regularly for the San Francisco Chronicle and are frequently heard on the radio in the San Francisco Bay Area. In spite of being on deadline, and having to take their lunches back to the office in take-out containers, Matier and Ross responded to a wide range of questions about local, regional and even national politics.

The Silent Auction raised over $3000 to benefit the Philip McCombs Scholarship program, awarded annually to students aspiring to careers in public relations and communications. Guests bid on a variety of goods and experiences, including collectible ornaments, fine wines, elegant jewelry and an overnight stay at the Westin St. Francis. Whitney Greer, Silent Auction chair, and her team of Hatti Hamlin, Ellen Newman, Barbara Koeth, and Rikke Jorgensen handled all of the logistics.

Mary & Blodwen

The Holiday Party marked the installation of the 2014 chair of the Public Relations Round Table: Mary Currie. Mary has been in the PR arena now for nearly 30 years, with 22 of them at the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District where she has served as spokesperson and director of public affairs. I am delighted that she intends to have enough time available next year to head the SF PRRT.

Whitney & Team

This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our major sponsors:

Our in-kind sponsors were equally important contributors. Graphic design was provided by Abeck Inc., printing came from Bacchus Press, and for our wonderful wines, thanks go to The Hess Collection, courtesy of member Jim Caulfield.

Welcome Our Newest Member

Naomi L. MaloneyDirector of Marketing and Communications, EARN

A highly creative, strategic thinker with 20+ years of communications and marketing experience, Naomi specializes in brand building. Her work as a writer within advertising agencies and as a consultant includes a wide client mix, from an airline and cruise lines to insurance companies and tech startups. She now draws from this experience to create public relations, marketing and communications strategies for a nonprofit, EARN. A few of the national brands Naomi has helped shape are Audi of North America, Delta Dental, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Williams-Sonoma, Baker Furniture, Karastan, Philips Lighting, Fisher-Price and Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Naomi has been fortunate enough to achieve recognition from Communication Arts, Clio, Cannes International Advertising Festival, Archive Magazine, Print Design Annual, AdWeek Best Spots and others. She lives in Oakland with a bossy toy poodle named Boo Radley.